A new report from The New York Daily News claims that Simon Cowell has decided to skip the big name judges in favor of panelists who have “real chemistry.”
Announcements on who will join him and newly-reupped, Demi Lovato on the X Factor panel are expected to be made within the next few weeks. Perhaps at the FOX upfronts set to take place in New York City next Monday? (May 13)
The new marching orders come after Cowell declined to rehire Britney Spears after the sometime singer failed to connect to fans and cost a reported $15 million.
At a hastily called meeting recently, Cowell, 53, gave “X Factor” producers and executives this warning: “Think again.”
“Simon delivered a simple message: Forget the big names in favor of chemistry,” said one insider. “He said all these shows have become distracted by signing celebrities rather than judges who really have something to say. We have all seen that big names don’t translate into big ratings. Chemistry is top of the list of demands for next season.”
I’m on board with nixing the big-name judges who have nothing to bring to the table (Hello Britney). But I suspect this new attitude is partially rooted in the lack of FUNDS to pay for the big talent. The US version of the X Factor has struggled it’s first two seasons. I wouldn’t be surprised if the show’s budget has been cut way back.
